Retail store information display device

Abstract

The present invention provides a retail store information display device for suspension from a ceiling over merchandise displays or aisles. The retail store information display system comprises one or more panels containing information, an elongated horizontal track, a plurality of carrier means slidably supported by said track, and connecting means for suspending the track from a ceiling a sufficient height above any merchandise displays or aisles. The panels can be positioned with respect to the merchandise displays or aisles by sliding them along the horizontal track. The retail store information display device assists retailers in hanging panels, such as signs and banners, quickly and uniformly throughout a store.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
       1. A retail store information display device for suspension from a ceiling over merchandise displays or aisles, said information display device consisting of one or more panel sections containing information, said panel sections having a top edge and first and second ends; an elongated horizontal track having first and second ends; a plurality of carrier means slideably supported by said track; and connecting means for suspending the track from a ceiling a sufficient height above any merchandise displays or aisles, wherein the top edge of said panels is adapted for attachment to said plurality of carrier means from a first end of said track by connecting a first end of said top edge of one of said panels to a first group of one or more of said plurality of carrier means, said first group of one or more plurality of carrier means slidable along said track to permit, from said first end of said track, said second end of the top edge of the panel to be connected to a second group of one or more of said plurality of carrier means, said second group of one or more plurality of carrier means slidable along said track to position the panel with respect to the merchandise displays or aisles by sliding it along said track. 
     
     
       2. A retail store information display device according to  claim 1  wherein said connecting means comprises two or more vertical rods having first and second ends, said first end of said rods fastened to said track and the second end of said rods adapted to be fastened to a ceiling. 
     
     
       3. A retail store information display device according to  claim 2  wherein wherein the second end of said vertical rods is fastened to a T-bar ceiling clip track. 
     
     
       4. A retail store information display device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first or second end of said rods is adapted to include means to permit the track to be raised or lowered. 
     
     
       5. A retail store information display device according to  claim 1  wherein said track has a generally rectangular box-like cross section with an upper wall, generally parallel depending side walls and a bottom wall. 
     
     
       6. A retail store information device according to  claim 5  wherein the bottom wall of the track is provided with a centrally located longitudinal channel and the bottom wall adjacent either side of said channel is bent inwardly to create a support means for said plurality of carrier means to slide along the track. 
     
     
       7. A retail store information display device according to  claim 6  wherein said plurality of carrier means have a generally T-shaped body portion, a hook connected to a chain or other flexible fastening means depends from said body portion and a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the carrier means wherein said wheels are spaced so that when inserted onto said track, the wheels roll along the inside surface of the bottom wall of said track. 
     
     
       8. A retail store information display device according to  claim 1  wherein the track has a very small profile. 
     
     
       9. A method of displaying information comprising the steps of: 
       providing an information-bearing sign;  
       attaching a track having a first end and a second end to an overhead support;  
       slidably attaching carriers to said track;  
       attaching connectors to said carriers, each of said connectors including a sign-engaging portion;  
       while the track is attached to an overhead support, attaching said sign-engaging portions of said carriers to said information-bearing sign; and  
       moving said information-bearing sign and said carriers along said track and into a desired position.  
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein said track has a length, and the step of attaching a track having a first end and a second end to an overhead support comprises the step of attaching a track having a first end and a second end to an overhead support perpendicularly to a series of shelves. 
     
     
       11. A method of displaying information comprising the steps of: 
       providing a first information-bearing sign;  
       providing a track having a first end including a retainer and a second end including a retainer;  
       attaching the track to an overhead support;  
       rollingly attaching carriers to the track;  
       attaching connectors to the carriers, each of the connectors including a sign-engaging portion;  
       attaching the sign-engaging portions of the carriers to the information-bearing sign; and  
       moving the information-bearing sign and the carriers along the track and into a desired position.  
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  including the additional step of removing the first information-bearing sign from the sign-engaging portion of the carriers while leaving the track attached to an overhead support. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  including the additional steps of providing a second information-bearing sign and, after removing the first information-bearing sign from the sign-engaging portion of the carriers, attaching the second information-bearing sign to sign-engaging portion of the carriers.